Tasmania’s energy storage levels are down 11 per cent compared to the same time last year and the Energy Regulator is monitoring the situation closely. The state last month also imported 154.8 Gigawatt hours of energy which was about three times the 55.2 GWh it exported. Tasmania has had significantly lower than average rainfalls this year, with some areas having their driest January on record. Hydro Tasmania says there is no cause for alarm but has confirmed the Tamar Valley Power Station is operating at full capacity. In 2017 a Public Accounts Committee report into Tasmania’s energy crisis in 2016 recommended the government retain the power station. The committee found that low rainfall and a Basslink outage could have cost Hydro Tasmania up to $180 million. A spokesman for Tasmania’s Energy Regulator said it was the first time the storage levels have approached the prudent storage level which was set after the government established an energy security framework in November 2017. “As highlighted by the Energy Security Taskforce, water storage levels below the PSL can be expected from time to time due to a number of variables including rainfall, inflows to Hydro Tasmania’s storages, the level of non-hydro generation (eg Basslink, wind, gas, solar) and the demand for electricity,” the spokesman said. “The situation will continue to be closely monitored. “If, in the future, storages are forecast to approach the high reliability level, the Regulator will require Hydro Tasmania to prepare a plan explaining how it intends restoring water storage levels. “No additional action is required by the Regulator or Hydro Tasmania at this stage.” The Regulator discussed the storage levels at its regular meeting with Hydro Tasmania last week. “Storages are currently well above the level that would be cause for concern,” the spokesman said. Hydro Tasmania’s acting director of Wholesale Energy Services Allan Jones, said Hydro’s storages were at 34.6 per cent as at February 4 which was “a comfortable position, despite a dry January”. “This level is well above the high reliability level,” Mr Jones said. “Given the recent hot weather and bushfire conditions it is prudent for us to ensure we have all our energy generation options available to us. “Starting the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), the largest of the generation units at the Tamar Valley Power Station gives us additional generation capacity and flexibility to not only meet Tasmanian demand but also assist Victoria during heatwaves, creating value for Tasmania.” TasWater is currently reviewing its water resources around the state in light of the dry weather. “Every summer it is likely some areas of Tasmania will face the possibility of water restrictions,” a spokesman said. Even though water restrictions may not be in place where you live, TasWater urges people to take care with water over summer and to use it wisely.” Currently Currie on King Island which is supplied by water bores is on Stage 2 water restrictions. The spokesman said Bridport was put on on Stage 1 restrictions in mid-December to reduce the demand during the influx of summer holiday visitors and to conserve supply due to the lower rainfall during winter and spring.

Tasmania’s energy storage levels being monitored

Tasmania’s energy storage levels are down 11 per cent compared to the same time last year and the Energy Regulator is monitoring the situation closely.

The state last month also imported 154.8 Gigawatt hours of energy which was about three times the 55.2 GWh it exported.

Tasmania has had significantly lower than average rainfalls this year, with some areas having their driest January on record.

Hydro Tasmania says there is no cause for alarm but has confirmed the Tamar Valley Power Station is operating at full capacity.

In 2017 a Public Accounts Committee report into Tasmania’s energy crisis in 2016 recommended the government retain the power station.

The committee found that low rainfall and a Basslink outage could have cost Hydro Tasmania up to $180 million.

A spokesman for Tasmania’s Energy Regulator said it was the first time the storage levels have approached the prudent storage level which was set after the government established an energy security framework in November 2017.

“As highlighted by the Energy Security Taskforce, water storage levels below the PSL can be expected from time to time due to a number of variables including rainfall, inflows to Hydro Tasmania’s storages, the level of non-hydro generation (eg Basslink, wind, gas, solar) and the demand for electricity,” the spokesman said.

“The situation will continue to be closely monitored.

“If, in the future, storages are forecast to approach the high reliability level, the Regulator will require Hydro Tasmania to prepare a plan explaining how it intends restoring water storage levels.

“No additional action is required by the Regulator or Hydro Tasmania at this stage.”

The Regulator discussed the storage levels at its regular meeting with Hydro Tasmania last week.

“Storages are currently well above the level that would be cause for concern,” the spokesman said.

Hydro Tasmania’s acting director of Wholesale Energy Services Allan Jones, said Hydro’s storages were at 34.6 per cent as at February 4 which was “a comfortable position, despite a dry January”.

“This level is well above the high reliability level,” Mr Jones said.

“Given the recent hot weather and bushfire conditions it is prudent for us to ensure we have all our energy generation options available to us.

“Starting the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), the largest of the generation units at the Tamar Valley Power Station gives us additional generation capacity and flexibility to not only meet Tasmanian demand but also assist Victoria during heatwaves, creating value for Tasmania.”

TasWater is currently reviewing its water resources around the state in light of the dry weather.

“Every summer it is likely some areas of Tasmania will face the possibility of water restrictions,” a spokesman said.

Even though water restrictions may not be in place where you live, TasWater urges people to take care with water over summer and to use it wisely.”

Currently Currie on King Island which is supplied by water bores is on Stage 2 water restrictions.

The spokesman said Bridport was put on on Stage 1 restrictions in mid-December to reduce the demand during the influx of summer holiday visitors and to conserve supply due to the lower rainfall during winter and spring.